PIT’s New Terminal Ribbon Cutting Inspires Dignitaries and Partners

Ask any one of the few hundred dignitaries and partners who attended Saturday’s ribbon cutting to describe the new terminal and the words stream:

Intuitive.

Spectacular.

Fabulous.

Breathtaking.

Welcoming.

Innovative.

Futuristic.

Inspiring.

Game Changing.

We spoke to just a few of the people who attended the ceremonial ribbon cutting about the importance the new terminal to this region, their feelings when they see it and what it means for this region’s future. Here’s what just a few of them had to say:

The Honorable Mike Carroll – Secretary, PA Department of Transportation

“The new PIT exhibits and extends a sense of energy and competitiveness and success. Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh region really have so much to be proud of, and this new terminal really shines a spotlight on the successes both past, present and future.”

The Honorable Dan Frankel – 23rd Legislative District, PA House of Representatives

“I think people are going to be really excited to be able to utilize this and to welcome family and friends who are traveling to Pittsburgh to visit them here as well. It’s going to be so impactful. It’s the front door to our community. Great things happen in Pittsburgh, have happened and will be happening in Pittsburgh, and this, I think, is an exclamation point in terms of what this city means to Pennsylvania and the country and what its future is.”

The Honorable Tom Gallant – Supervisor, Township of Findlay

“For Findley Township, we have had a tremendous amount of economic, commercial and residential development within the township that grows directly in proportion with the airport. And now that we have a new terminal, we have a lot of opportunities now that allow us to move forward in an innovative way with the development coming in.”

The Honorable Al Quaye – Supervisor, Township of Moon

“This new terminal allows Pittsburgh to stay on the cutting edge of what’s going on next. Keeping our area efficient, keeping it moving forward, this is our gateway to the rest of the world. Everybody comes in and leaves through here. This is what we show the world and their first impression of Pittsburgh.”

Luis Vidal – Founder and President , luis vidal + architects

“This terminal is about the recognition of an extremely powerful region that strives always to deliver the best. It is a new front door. It is an aspiration. It is giving people a kind of hope, a new place, a feeling that when you walk in, you feel that feeling of comfort of being back home.

“It makes me feel very proud. It makes me feel very special. I think it is the result of an extremely talented and good team. To deliver a great project, you need a good contractor, and here we have 64 good contractors, main contractors, and you also need a very good design team. The entire group delivered something, and that makes me feel very, very proud.”

 

Carolyn Sponza – Studio Director and Principal, Gensler

“It’s going to elevate the experience of air travel for western Pennsylvanians, but I also think it’s going to be a huge point of pride because this terminal is really a huge reflection of what the future of the aviation industry will be in the entire United States – and what all traveling public should expect when they travel anyplace throughout the country. I feel like this project is going to be something that people associate with Pittsburgh – a new architectural icon – it will be up there with the incline and the downtown towers and skyscrapers.”

Bill Peduzzi – Aviation Director, HDR

“This terminal is special because it’s my hometown airport. It is another step in Pittsburgh’s journey. Pittsburgh’s always been a leader. We’re building the future airport. The next future airport for Pittsburgh. At the end of the day, aviation is a business, and this makes this region more competitive. It’s also a great amenity, you know, whether you’re traveling for pleasure, whether you’re traveling on business. We’ll have more connectivity to the world. And that just has a snowball effect in the region.”

Jerad Bachar – President and CEO, VisitPittsburgh

“I think when we look at the evolution of the economy for this entire region, I think that this is a great representation of giving a nod to our industrial past with all the material and ingenuity that went into building this new terminal. But also giving a nod to everything that the future of this region stands for – technology and medicine and everything that we’re doing to make sure that we reinvent this entire region, economically, and that we’re at the forefront of this next renaissance period.”